Question-Week ending Sunday 04/18/04:Choose from our list one item that you would love to have "absolute determination" to achieve within the next year. Please read our Pre-Poll Commentary before taking this poll.

Pre-Poll Commentary:

Our twelfth keyword in our poll series on moods and emotions is DETERMINATION. Like many other keywords we have reviewed, this word has numerous meanings. For the purpose of this poll we will describe the meaning of DETERMINATION as "Firmness of purpose; resolve."

When putting together our list of moods and emotions, we listed them in alphabetical order. It's just coincidental that last week's poll was on desire and this week we're discussing determination. For these two emotions occurring sequentially can be the start of a meaningful action "to get you exactly where you want to go."

With a burning desire to do something, immediately followed by the resolve and determination to "DO IT" you have a powerful combination for results. However, as a rule of thumb the more time that elapses between the occurrences of these two emotions, the lesser your chances will be to move into action.

Let's take a look at weight loss as an example. It's January 1st and perhaps it's time to make a New Year resolution. You ate so much at all the family gatherings and parties that you are having a difficult time fitting into your clothes at the waistline. You look in the mirror and have a burning desire to lose weight. You desire to feel better, look better and have more energy. At the peak of your desire, you make the determination and absolute resolve to join the gym and watch your food intake. It's like an eclipsing of desire and determination at the same moment. You join the gym, start reading about eating healthier and make your New Year resolution to shed pounds, exercise and tone up. This decision made you feel great! You are on a roll.

Now the question arises as to whether you can stay determined to accomplish your mission. Here's where a little bit of planning can definitely help make the difference between success and failure. I contend that it helps a great deal to keep score to stay determined. You should set your goal perhaps to lose one pound per week - to be measured at the same time every single week. If you see positive results every week, your chances of staying determined will increase. If you don't plan a way to measure your success, your determination will probably wane. You'll start missing regular trips to the gym and before you know it stop going altogether. Thus, determination is fed by small successes occurring often.

Determination is a fun emotion that can make you passionate about a cause. Staying the course in your endeavors and ultimately experiencing success definitely makes you more determined to do even bigger and better things next time.

Let us know in this week's poll, your feelings on determination. This poll will end on Sunday 04/18/04, when the results will be displayed.

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Results:

49% of voters chose "losing weight and toning up" as the one item from our list that they would love to have absolute determination to achieve in the next 12 months.

21% of voters chose "saving and investing more money" as the one item from our list that they would love to have absolute determination to achieve in the next 12 months.

13% of voters chose "getting a better job" as the one item from our list that they would love to have absolute determination to achieve in the next 12 months.

08% of voters chose "stop smoking" as the one item from our list that they would love to have absolute determination to achieve in the next 12 months.

07% of voters chose "Taking a dream vacation" as the one item from our list that they would love to have absolute determination to achieve in the next 12 months.

02% of voters chose "taking a class to learn or improve a skill" as the one item from our list that they would love to have absolute determination to achieve in the next 12 months.

Post-Poll Commentary:
At the two ends of our poll results this week were the "absolute determination of losing weight and toning up;" (49% of votes) and "taking a class to learn or improve a skill;" (2% of votes). That's what I call a very large spread in what our respondents are most determined to do!

So what can we learn from our sampling? I guess losing weight and toning up is a high priority to our respondents. Enough that it's the one choice on our list that blew away the other choices in a substantial manner.

As mentioned in our Pre-Poll commentary, determination can be a fun emotion. If you view determination as a challenge and foresee pleasure in the accomplishment of your goal or desire - you will build momentum and gain a powerful force to help your mission along. Think of this emotion as if it were the rocket fuel you need to propel you toward achievement. That kind of thinking is what makes your mission fun and exciting. Get determined; stay determined; and make exciting things happen in your life!